Falling for my nemesis

Ghost !

Six years ago

"What? Is Alexa pregnant? How is she again?" Mrs. Hidalgo asked, and her face was white with surprise. I buried my head in shame, and my poor parents just sat there looking on helplessly. This isn't the first time we've visited the Hidalgo mansion, but this visit was different. The pregnancy test results had come out positive, and my parents had dragged me down here to repeat the accusation I made a few hours ago in our home. I tried to look at Dre, but he avoided my gaze.

"I am sixteen, Karen." I replied. I have always called Mrs. Hidalgo by her first name. They lived across the street from us, but they were wealthy.

"We have come here because Alexa has something to say." My father said Everyone was silent, waiting for me to speak. My mouth was dry, and I couldn't bring myself to say the words. I wanted Dre to look at me, but he sat behind his parents and looked straight ahead,focused on some painting on the wall.

"Well, Alexa?"

"I am pregnant. Dre is responsible." I finally said There was silence at first, then Mrs. Hidalgo burst out in a long, dry laugh.

"Well,Dre? What is this about?" Mr. Hidalgo,never smiling, asked his son.

Dre stood up from his perch on the barstool behind his parents. He was so handsome,it is no surprise that I fell for him and let him lure me into his bed.

"It is not true. I have never touched Alexa. I do not even find her attractive like that." Dre said. His words hit me like poisoned arrows. I began to cry again. My mom and dad bowed their heads in shame. Dan,my brother, was livid with anger.

"Well, you have heard from our son. We only know that Dre treats Alexa like his younger sister. "said Mr. Hidalgo.

"Alexa, honey, are you sure it's Dre?" Mrs. Hidalgo asked me. I was shocked; I didn't expect Dre to deny me like this before everyone.

"Lexie is a bit popular with the boys. Mr. and Mrs. O'Conor, I think you should look outside." Dre said it again. He was looking everywhere but at my face

"Shut up! Never talk about my sister like that, you traitor!" Dan screamed and lunged for Dre. He managed to throw a few punches before they were pulled away from each other.

"Dre, look at me." I said, "Look at me and tell me that you aren't responsible for my pregnancy and that you've never touched me."

No one spoke. Dre walked up to me, and finally our eyes met

"I know nothing about your bastard, Alexa, and I have never touched you." He said it boldly.

I nodded. I walked out of the sitting room,out of the door, and into the hot February sun. I didn't remember that my sixteenth birthday was only three days away. Andre Hidalgo was dead to me. I never wanted to see him or hear of him again. My brother stopped being friends with him, and our families seized communication as the Hidalgos wanted.

The last I heard of him,he had gone back to Harvard, where he was getting his degree. I stayed back in Love Valley,never speaking of him again. Since he denied me and humiliated me, I would live with it, but he was dead to me. Everyone doubted me. My life was miserable until I gave birth to a beautiful baby girl six months later who looked like me but had bright blue eyes.

She was my redemption before my family and brought me a new burst of life. I named her Andrea to always remind myself that once I loved a man,my brother's best friend, whom I thought loved me but didn't. So I cut my hair short to my shoulders and faced my life.

"Why are you late,Alexa? I was calling your phone." Lynne bombarded me with a string of questions immediately after I entered the bridal suite. She was dressed in a beautiful low-cut burgundy dress, and her blonde hair was piled on her head in a high bun and held fast with ivory pins. All that was left were her earrings. I opened my purse and gave them to her before I sank into the spare couch. I watched her put them on.

"Sorry, it was in my purse. I didn't hear it ring." I said. My voice was still quivering.

"Hey,are you alright? You look so pale, like one who has seen a ghost."

"Well,that is because I saw a ghost." I replied dryly.

"What are you talking about?"

"Andre Hidalgo. He's here, Lynne." I said. She looked away from me; the shock I expected from her wasn't there.

"Wait,what's this? You knew he was coming?" I asked. Her eyes answered me—she was guilty.

"I am sorry,Alexa. I didn't know how to tell you."

"You knew Dre would be coming, and you didn't say a word about it to me? Come on,Lynne!" I was pissed. I felt the sting of tears in my eyes, but I tried to hold them in or else I would soil my makeup.

"He is Ron's cousin and best man."

"What the heck? Who else knows Dre is coming back?"